Pumping system



'H. J. BERRY PUMPING SYSTEM July 2, 1940.

Filed Nov. 25, 1936 ///5 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PUMPING SYSTEM Harry J. Berry, Albany, Galifi, assignor of onethird to Emmet R. Rhodes, Jr., and one-third to William C. Nichols Application November 23, 1936, Serial No. 112,239

14 Claims.

My invention relates to pumpingsystems and in particular to systems employing an automatic pump of the pneumatic displacement type.

It is an object of my invention to provide a -.5 structure capable of elevating liquids through the application of pneumaticpressure.

Other objects of my'invention are: To provide a pumping system having a pump that is automatic in its operation; toprovide in such a system a compact and durable -pump having a large capacity; to provide in'a pumping structure of the pneumaticdisplacement type an improved valve'operative structure for controlling the admittance'and exhaust of operative fluid to and from the pumping'chamber; to provide in a pumping system of the-character described a pump having an improvedfloat structure; and to provide in such a system a pneumatic displacement pump of few and simple-parts and one .that may be easily and quickly :takenapart and reassembled for repairer-replacement purposes.

The invention possesses numerous-additional objects and features of advantage-some of which, together with the foregoing;:will become apparent upon perusal of the following. descriptionof my invention. It is to be understood; however, that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of the species ofmy invention, since I may adopt various-embodiments thereof'within'the scopeof the 30. claims. 7 e

- Referring tothe drawing:

Figure 1 is an'elevationalview-of the device of my invention and its-associated structure; incorporated-in operative position in a-well.

-Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view; partly in elevation, of a pumpincorporating-my-invention. --Figure 3-is a transverse sectio-nal view taken ;in a plane indicated-by line 33'of Figure 2.

' Figure 4 isanenlargedfragmentary-view of ...40'- the air-intake valve and itsaassociated structure.

Figure5 is an enlarged elevational View, partly in section, ofan alternative form-of --the .air,intake valve structure.

In terms of broad inclusion, the structure of my invention comprises acasing having apumping chamber capable of being-submergeda body of liquidu An' inlet-valve-is-provided in the bottom of the=chamber-forthe :admission Y of the liquid thereto, and anrout let conduit is providedwhich extends above the level .;of..-the .liquid and :opens within :the chamber.: and. through -which the. admitted liquid ,may be; discharged. ,Intakeand exhaust valves. are further proyided for the intake. and .exhaustvof an operative fluid, for e a ple wcompressedair.:01: caste an irp the chamber. A" float positioned within the chamber and adapted to travel in apath longitudinally thereof. is also provided, together With valve mechanism which 'operatively' connects the intake and exhaust valves, to the float in'such" 5 I manner as to reciprocally :operate such" valves at predetermined points infthe-path; of traveiof the float. Provision is furthermadefo-f' means for supplying an operative fluid-under pressure to the intake valve o'fpthe chamber. v10

" With reference to -the;preferred construction illustrated by thedrawingp-my invention comprises a casing 6 preferably of' cylindrical shape and of cast construction havi-ng abottomza'nd top end closure 1 and 8 which form therewithanfi enclosed chamber 9. I-prefer-that the closures be removably secured to the casing ina-m-anner to facilitate their removal; andi'replacement; and

for thispurpose' Iyp-rovide a pluralityof tie rods I B threaded at their ends to receive nuts I lwhich" 20 are adapted to bear upon the outer facex-rof the closures V to clamp the closures to;.-the"'cas'ing;

Bottom closure '1 is preferably formed-with a flanged aperture l 2 which is adapted tot-be closed by an inwardly opening liquidwinlet valvenl3. :In 25 order to position this inlet valve to :obtain': proper I seating thereof, I mount the valve-for axialmovementon a pin l4,"one end bf which: is fixedly securedvin ahub l5centrally"positioned-within waperture l2 by means .of radial arms" l6,'..a'nd the other end of which projects into the chamber.

A liquid outlet conduit Fly-is provided through which liquid entering the chamber may be discharged. I prefer-for-purpbses of convenience of manufacture and-assembly'to form such con-- duit with-an upper section [8 and alowers'ection [9, the adjacent ends ofthe conduitsection'sbe- 1 ing threadedin a hub 20 formed in thetory'closure 8 of the casing. "Lower section'lll is'of such 40 length as to' terminate adjacent't-he inletzvalve l3 and preferably extends:- axially i of the "chamher, while section l8 riseszupwardly fromithe' casing to terminate above thesurface of thebody of liquid in which-the chamber is submerged. A suitable'check-valve 2| of any well known design is provided, for theconduit, and,:-.as shown in Figure 1, is preferably disposed in theupper-sec- I tion l8 thereof adjacent theorising."

OrificesgZZ audit, preferably oppositely dis- :posed in the-topclosure 8, provide iortthe admittance and exhaust of air under' pressureto and from chamber 9,. and. the. same-are provided with air-pintake andvexhaustvalves .24 -andjzi,

Yresnectively.v Stem 26 of -each valve is; formed as shown in Figure 4, in hexagonal cross-sec",

tion, or, as shown in Figure 5, with a longitudinal bore 33 with which apertures 34 formed 'in the seating surface of the valve communicate.

It will be observed that theconnection between each lever and valve is such that the lever may move Within the limits of the slots 30 before actuating the valve;'and further that relatively fine adjustments of the valve may be eifected by merely rotating the valve to change the threaded connection of the stem thereof with the link. I

' I prefer to fulcrum each lever in such manner as to permit of maximum movement of the lever pins 3! in a plane parallel to or in registry with the axis of movement of the valves instead of in an arcuate path. For this purpose, therefore, I prefer to form each lever 32 with an arcuate end portion 35 havingperipheral teeth 36 adapted to engage a toothed surface 31 of a fulcrum 38, the latter being preferably disposed on the top closure 8 so that upon disengagement thereof from the casing the fulcrum and its associated structure may be-withdrawn as a unit from the chamber. V

Provision is made for accelerating the normal movement of the levers 32 to give a snap action to the valves. For such purpose, I provide resilient means comprising preferably a pair of coiled springs 39 for each lever. One end of each pair of springs is connected to the distal portion of the lever and the other to thefulcrum. It is apparent that when the lever is moved to a position so that'a line drawn through the points connecting the opposite ends of each spring passes through the lever pin 3|, the lever will be held in neutral position, but that as soon as the lever ismoved so as to disturb such neutral position, the springs will become e'ife'ctive to throw' the lever in that direction in which the lever has been moved. l i

Pivotally connected to the outer end of each lever 32 and projectin'g"downwardly within the chamber is a rod lll which is slidably received in a sleeve 4| carried by a' downwardly tapering open-bottomed flat 42, the float being positioned within the chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof. Each of these rods i's'providedwith a pair of adjustably spaced collars 33 and 44 and between whichthe float' is freely movable. Float 42 is preferably annular in shape and surrounds'the lower section l9 of the conduit and, in order'to properly space the float Within the chamber and to' m'aintain it freely movable inits 'path of' travel, I provide afplurality ofnrollers' 45 which are preferably journaled on the float and adapted toroll upon the surface of theconduit.

It will be observed that in operation, when the chamber is first submerged in a body of liquid, the air intake valve 24 will be closed and the-exhaust valve 25 will be open. Liquid entering the chamber through the inlet valve l3 will rapidly rise .within the chamber and lift the float 42. As the float approaches the upper end of the chamber it will contact the collars 43 and lift the rods 40, whereby the intake valve 24 will be opened and the exhaust valve 25 closed. Air under pressure delivered to the intake valve 24 through an air line 4'6 by a suitable compressor 47 of any well-known design operated by a prime mover 48, such as a gas engine, enters the chamber and compresses the liquid contents to effect discharge thereof through the conduit II. The float moving downwardly in its path as the liquid is discharged from the chamber bears against collars and pulls the rods downwardly, thereby actuating the levers 32 to open the exhaust valve 25 and close the intake valve 24. Air released from the chamber upon opening of the exhaust valve is discharged through an exhaust pipe 49 which preferably terminates above the surface of the liquid within which the chamber is submerged. With the pressure so relieved, the chamber is again ready to receive a new charge of liquid through the inlet valve l3 and repeat the cycle of operation.

The provision of an open-bottomed float is particularly significant because in operation the pressures thereon are equalized and compressive stresses neutralized. Light-weight material can, therefore, be employed in its construction and maximum buoyancy and efliciency of stroke obobtained. Furthermore, the float tapering downwardly serves to retain the air entrapped within the float by preventing escape thereof around the lower edge during operation.

While I have illustrated the installation of my pumping system in a single well and as employing but one pumping chamber, it is to be understood that a plurality of pumping chambers may be as readily operated from a common compressor and either arranged in tandem in a single well or singly disposed in separate wells or other bodies of liquid.

For the purpose of illustration, I have designated compressed air as the preferred type of operative fluid because it is economical and readily available. However, I-do not wish to be so limited, since gas or other fluids under pressure maybe likewise employed;

I claim:

4 1. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber'adaptecl to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said cham-' ber, an outlet conduitextending above the surfaceof said liquid and opening within said chamber, air intake and exhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to'travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a lever operatively connected to each of said air valves and to said float and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, means associated with each lever for maintaining the point of connection between said lever and air valve in registry with the axis of movement of said air valve during its operation,

and means for supplying airunder pressure to lever tractionally disposed on each said fulcrum and operatively connected to the air valve adjacent thereto and to said float whereby said levers are actuated to reciprocally operate said air valve at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, resilient means associated with each of said levers for accelerating the movement thereof at predetermined points in its path of movement, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

3. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending above the surface of said liquid and opening within said chamber, air intake and exhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a lever connected to each of said air valves and having an arcuate end portion provided with peripheral teeth, a fulcrum disposed on said casing adjacent each of said air valves and having teeth on a surface thereof adapted to mesh with teeth of said lever, means operatively connecting said levers to said float to effect reciprocal movement thereof at predetermined points in the path of movement of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

4. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamher, an outlet conduit extending abovethe surface of said liquid and opening within said chamber, air intake and exhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a lever fulcrumed on said casing adjacent each of said air valves, means operatively connecting said lever to its adjacent air valve and adapted to permit limited movemerit thereof independent of said valve, means operatively connecting said levers to said float and adapted to actuate the same at predetermined points. in the path of travel of said float whereby reciprocal operation of said air valves is effected, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

5. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in said casing opening into the bottom of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending above the surface of said liquid and opening within said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a lever operatively connected to said intake valve, a second lever operatively connected to said exhaust valve, a rod depending from each lever and passing through said float, a pair of spaced stops on said rod adapted to be engaged by said float in its path of travel to raise or lower said rod whereby reciprocal operation of said levers and said air valves is independently effected, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

6. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in said casing opening into the bottom of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending above the surface of said liquid and opening within said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a lever operatively connected to said intake valve, a second lever operatively connected to said exhaust valve, a rod depending from each lever and passing 1 through said float, a pair of spaced stops on valves for controlling said rod adapted to be engaged by said float in its path of travel to .raise or lower said rod 'whereby'reciprocal operation of said levers and said air valves is independently effected, resilient means connected to each lever for accelerating the opening or closingof said air valves at lore-determined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

7. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices in said casing and opening into the top of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet .valve, air intake and exhaust valves for controlling said orifices, a float positioned, within said chamber to travel in a path extending substantially the full length of said chamber, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adaptedto reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

8. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices in said casing and opening into the top of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves for controlling said orifices, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path extending substantially the full length of said chamber, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, means within, said chamber for accelerating the movement of said air valves atpredetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

9. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices in said casing and opening into the top of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust said orifices, an openbottomed float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path extending substantially the full length of said chamber, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, means within said chamber for accelerating the movement of said air valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

10. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices in said casing and opening into the top of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves for controlling said orifices, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a I path extending substantially the 'full lngthof said 'chamber, rollers carried by said float and cooperative with a portion of said chamber for maintaining said float in said path, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

11. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid'inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices in said casing and opening into'the top of said cham ber, an outlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves for controlling said orifices, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path extending substantially the full length of said chamber, rollers disposed on said float and adapted to roll upon said conduit for maintaining said float in said path, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

, 12. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, a pair of spaced orifices opening into the top of said chamber, an outlet conduit extending above the surface of said liquid and opening into said chamber, air intake and exhaust valves for controlling said orifices, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, a pair of fulcrumed levers positioned within said chamber and operatively connected to said air valves and to said float for reciprocally operating said air valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying airunder pressure to said intake valve.

13. In a pumping system, a casing having a chamber adapted to be submerged in a liquid, a liquid inlet valve in said casing opening into the bottom of said chamber, an outlet'conduit extending above the surfaceof said liquid and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake andexhaust valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, independent means within said chamber connecting each of said air valves to said float for operation instituted solely by the latter and adapted to reciprocally operate said valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, and means for supplying air under pressure to said intake valve.

14. In a pumping chamber, a casing having a chamber therein, a liquid inlet valve in the bottom of said chamber, anoutlet conduit extending from said casing and opening into said chamber adjacent the level of said inlet valve, air intake and exhaust valves, a lever connected to each of said valves and movable to operatethe same, resilient means associated with and movable by said levels for accelerating the'opening or closing of saidair valves, a float positioned within said chamber to travel in a path longitudinally thereof, means connecting said float to said levers in such manner as to actuate said levers to reciprocally operate said air valves at predetermined points in the path of travel of said float, said float having an open bottom whereby the Water levels within and without the same may change with reference to each other to vary the Weight of said float whereby the tension of said resilient means is overcome and said means is actuated to accelerate the opening or closing of said air valves, and means for supplying air under pressure to said air intake valves.

' HARRY J. BERRY. 

